W202 Creak
 

I noticed recently that the passenger side wheel area of my C220 makes a creaking sound most noticeable when I hit the breaks while backing up. It occassionally makes the same sound when I turn right moving forward.

I changed the lower ball joints thinking that might be the cause but still have it (the ball joints needed it anyway so I didn't mind). Now I'm wondering if its my upper control arm ball joint. Its somewhat hard to diagnose as the car has to be moving to simulate it. I did try jacking the wheel up and spun it and had someone hit the breaks a few times but could not create the same sound. Although I noticed a slight clunk from the UCA ball joint.

Any thoughts?

Update:

I don't think its my UCA BJ. I just squirted grease in there and still getting noise.

Remove the front sway bar and see if the noise goes away.

Just had my indy take a quick peak. he thinks it might be worn LCA bushings. Anyone ever try to do this work?

LCA Bushings
 

Had car up in hoist and my indy showed me the left side bushing is worn. Right may need it soon.

Now I gotta decide what brand to go with. Online I see lemfoerder, meyle, febi and URO. URO is half the price. I read a few comments here not to get URO parts but no reason given.

Any experience?

UPDATE:

After reading some posts in Benzworld forum, I'm staying away from URO parts especially critical rubber parts. If you are interested, just go to that forum and search URO.

I have a 2000 C280 with 95k. For as long as I can remember it has had a slight clunk from the front suspension when I go in reverse and hit the brakes. Also a bit of noise when I turn into a driveway.

I have been under the car many times and I don't see anything with excessive play. I did buy some lower ball joints in preperation but have not put them in.

I understand that Lemforder and Febi are pretty good brands, as close to OEM as you can get, but are still manufactured by others. I have had terrible service from URO parts and so-so from Meyle.

I would check prices versus OEM and make a decision based on how long you expect to keep the car. If <5 years than the URO parts may be fine. With OEM parts you can expect 10-15 years.

The noise was from the right, but the obvious wear was on the left?

The clunk or in my case, creak, comes from the LCA bushing. If torn this is what happens, Like you I checked and checked but could not see anything until I had the car up on a hoist and put a crowbar on the bushing and noticed the play.

I used a Meyle BJ for replacement. Job was fairly easy to do. Right now am looking into getting poly bushing. But maybe too expensive so I'll just use regular bushings.

Are you going to be doing the bushings yourself?

I am contemplating getting that control arm bushing kit off ebay.

I am planning on it. Might as well put the 3 floor jacks to work. If you don't mind my saying so, I would not get the bushing kit from eBay. I would get it either from Peachparts or other online places. Also, after reading about URO parts I would also avoid them.

Also check the rear lower flange joint bushing as well. I have had several issues related to noise like a creeping sound and they were the culprits. Also if the car is on the ground you can put the car in reverse and drive to see if the wheel rocks back and forth in the fender well. The front control arm bushings are pretty bad in most cases around 125k miles and sometimes before.

Thanks, Chief. Where are the lower flange bushings? As to the 'rocking' I did see it the other day when I had someone else drive the car. Mainly when on reverse and repeatedly braking. No questions the LCA bushing are worn.

The flange bushings are located in the lower hub and is attached at the end of the control arm. Basically at the bottom of the hub carrier.

First job I had to do on my wife's C280 was the front lower arm bushings. If I had to do it again I would buy the control arm assemblies. I don't know how common it is but the old bushings were a real bear to get out.